fb-pixelRegistry will be ready for proof of legal residence law in January, Kaprielian says - The Boston Globe Skip to main content

Registry will be ready for proof of legal residence law in January, Kaprielian says

Despite Governor Deval ­Patrick’s concerns that it might be used to “identify and police” undocumented immigrants, the Registry of Motor Vehicles will be able by January to ­implement a new law requiring that vehicles be registered only by someone with “proof of legal residence,” says Registrar ­Rachel Kaprielian.

“We will be ready by the time that the law takes effect, which in my understanding is Jan. 1,” Kaprielian said before Wednesday’s Massachusetts Department of Transportation’s board of directors meeting in Somerville.

Patrick unsuccessfully sought to amend and then ­vetoed legislation with the new requirement, but the Legislature rejected his amendment and then overrode his veto, 24 to 10 in the Senate and 135 to 19 in the House. The plan was inserted into the fiscal 2013 state budget and while proponents said that it was a common sense safety measure, ­Patrick said it veered too far into stringent immigration ­enforcement.

The law says anyone registering ownership of a motor ­vehicle at the Registry must have “proof of legal residence” though Kaprielian will be empowered to write “exemptions for out-of-state students, military personnel, senior citizens, and disabled persons,” as well as other exemptions.

Advertisement



Under the law, people seeking to register a motor vehicle or trailer would need to provide a driver’s license, a state identification card, Social Security number, or “other proof of legal residence.”

“This is a concrete measure that strikes at the heart of the support structure that allows ­illegal immigrants to register and operate motor vehicles, all while avoiding prosecution for immigration violations,” state Senator Robert Hedlund, ­Republican of Weymouth, said in a statement after the budget was passed.

In his veto message, Patrick wrote, “I have been just as clear that I will not accept efforts to compel state authorities to ­enforce federal immigration rules.”

He also wrote that the ­Registry “is also ill-equipped and understaffed for such an assignment.”

Advertisement



The new law has required some preparation at the Registry.

“We’re starting to meet ­internally on it, and we’re trying to flag any potential ­issues,” said Kaprielian. “We will be working through it, and we take, most seriously, legislative mandates.”